Water level detection structure of ice maker

Abstract

The utility model discloses a water level detection structure of an ice maker, which comprises an inner container, openings on the top surface of the inner container and one surface close to the front side of the ice maker, an ice making module arranged above the inner container, an ice box arranged above the inner container and a water box arranged below the ice box arranged in the inner container, and a joint arranged on the outer side of the bottom of the water box and communicated with the inside of the water box, the joint is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet, the water outlet is provided with a water pump electrically connected with the control panel, the water pump is connected with an inlet pipeline of the ice making module, and the water inlet is connected with an external water source pipeline through an electromagnetic valve or a pump device; the electromagnetic valve or pump device, the low-water-level electrode and the high-water-level detector are electrically connected with the control panel, through cooperation of the low-water-level electrode, on-off of the electromagnetic valve or pump device and the water pump is controlled, the water level in the water box is kept above the low-water-level electrode all the time, and it is avoided that the amount of water in the water box is too small, and ice making is affected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an ice maker, in particular to a water level detection structure of an ice maker. Background Art

[0002] An ice maker is a refrigeration machine that generates ice by cooling water through an evaporator with the refrigerant of the refrigeration system. It uses a refrigeration system with water as the carrier and passes it through a device under power to produce ice. Depending on the principle and production method of the evaporator, the shape of the ice cubes generated is also different. People generally classify ice makers according to the shape of the ice into granular ice machines, flake ice machines, plate ice machines, tube ice machines, shell ice machines, etc.

[0003] A water tank is installed inside the ice maker, which stores water for making ice. The water is pumped into the ice-making module through a water pump and other devices to make ice. At present, the water tank of an ice maker is directly connected to the external water source, and there is no need to use a container to receive water into the water tank. The water replenishment operation can also be achieved. However, for this structure, how to ensure that the water volume in the water tank is not too low and affect ice making is a problem we need to consider. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the utility model provides a water level detection structure for an ice maker.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve its technical problems is:

[0006] A water level detection structure for an ice maker comprises an inner tank installed in the ice maker, the top surface of the inner tank and a side near the front side of the ice maker being open, an ice-making module being installed above the inner tank, an ice box located above and a water box located below the ice box being installed in the inner tank, a joint communicating with the water box being installed on the outer side of the bottom of the water box, a water inlet and a drain being provided on the joint, a water pump electrically connected to a control panel being installed on the drain port, the water pump being connected to an inlet pipe of the ice-making module, the water inlet being connected to an external water source pipe via a solenoid valve or a pump device, a low water level electrode being installed in the joint, and the solenoid valve or the pump device and the low water level electrode being electrically connected to the control panel.

[0007] The low water level electrode is composed of the two conductive rods.

[0008] A cavity communicating with the water box is provided in the joint, and the lower end of the low water level electrode is inserted into the cavity.

[0009] The water box is equipped with a high water level detector.

[0010] The water box is connected to a float device, and the high water level detector is located above the float device. The water level in the inner cavity of the float device changes with the rise and fall of the water level in the water box. The float in the float device rises and falls with the water level and triggers the high water level detector after the float is located above the inner cavity.

[0011] The float device is arranged in the water box. The float device includes a vertically arranged sleeve with an inner cavity. The sleeve is integrally formed on the inner wall of the water box. A through groove is vertically opened on the side wall of the sleeve to connect the inner cavity to the water box. The high water level detector is arranged on the side wall of the inner tank.

[0012] The float device is arranged on the outside of the inner tank and connected to the joint through a pipe, and then connected to the water box through the joint. The float device includes a vertically arranged sleeve with an inner cavity. The bottom of the sleeve is provided with a lower pipe joint connecting the pipe to the joint, and the top of the sleeve is provided with an upper pipe joint connecting the pipe to the inner tank. The high water level detector is arranged at the upper pipe joint.

[0013] A partition is provided in the middle of the inner tank to separate the inner tank into a first installation cavity located above and a second installation cavity located below the first installation cavity. The ice box can be slidably installed in the first installation cavity, and the water box can be slidably installed in the second installation cavity.

[0014] The bottom of the ice box is provided with a first drainage hole, and the partition is provided with a second drainage hole connecting the first installation cavity and the second installation cavity.

[0015] The bottom of the ice box is inclined and slopes downward toward the first drainage hole.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the utility model are as follows: an ice-making module is installed above the inner tank, an ice box located above and a water box located below the ice box are installed in the inner tank, a joint connected to the water box is installed on the outer side of the bottom of the water box, a water inlet and a drain are provided on the joint, a water pump electrically connected to the control panel is installed at the drain port, the water pump is connected to the inlet pipe of the ice-making module, the water inlet is connected to the external water source pipe through the solenoid valve or the pump device, a low water level electrode is installed in the joint, the solenoid valve or the pump device and the low water level electrode are electrically connected to the control panel, and the solenoid valve or the pump device and the water pump are controlled to be on and off through the cooperation of the low water level electrode, so that the water level in the water box is always maintained above the low water level electrode to avoid too little water in the water box, which affects ice making. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the internal structure of the ice maker;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the joint;

[0021] Figure 4 This is the structural diagram of the liner;

[0022] Figure 5 It is the structural diagram of the ice box;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of a first embodiment of a float device;

[0024] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of the second embodiment of the float device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Reference Figure 1-5 , an ice maker water level detection structure, comprising an inner tank 2 installed in an ice maker 1, the top surface of the inner tank 2 and a side near the front side of the ice maker 1 are open, an ice making module 3 is installed above the inner tank 2, an ice box 4 located above and a water box 5 located below the ice box 4 are installed in the inner tank 2, a joint 6 connected to the water box 5 is installed on the outside of the bottom of the water box 5, a water inlet 7 and a drain outlet 8 are provided on the joint 6, a water pump 9 electrically connected to the control panel is installed on the drain outlet 8, and the water pump 9 is connected to the inlet of the ice making module 3 The water inlet 7 is connected to the external water source pipeline through a solenoid valve or a pump device. The purpose of the solenoid valve or the pump device is to realize the control of the on-off connection with the external water source. Both can be selected for use according to actual conditions. In this embodiment, a solenoid valve is selected as the device for opening and closing the water path. A low water level electrode 10 is installed in the joint 6. The solenoid valve and the low water level electrode 10 are electrically connected to the control board. Through the cooperation of the low water level electrode, the on-off of the solenoid valve and the water pump is controlled to always maintain the water level in the water box above the low water level electrode to avoid too little water in the water box, which affects ice making.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the low water level electrode 10 is composed of the two conductive rods. When water passes through the two conductive rods, the two conductive rods are electrically connected with water as the medium, thereby enabling the low water level electrode 10 to generate a low water level signal to the control board, which controls the solenoid valve to open and replenish the water box. The connector 6 is provided with a cavity 11 that communicates with the water box 5. The lower end of the low water level electrode 10 is inserted into the cavity 11. When the water level in the water box 5 is higher than the top of the cavity 11, the cavity 11 is filled with water. When the water level in the water box 5 is lower than the top of the cavity 11, the water level in the cavity 11 is consistent with the water level in the water box 5.

[0027] As a preferred solution, the water box 5 is equipped with a high water level detector to detect the high water level in the water box, so as to avoid overflow caused by excessive water filling in the water box 5. Of course, to prevent excessive water filling, a time relay can also be used to control the closing of the solenoid valve, and the time for the water filling to reach the desired level can be calculated and then set on the time relay. However, the present invention preferably uses a high water level detector, which uses clear water level detection to control the operation of the solenoid valve, so that safety can be stably guaranteed.

[0028] Preferably, the water box 5 is connected to a float device 16, and the high water level detector is located above the float device 16. The water level in the inner cavity of the float device 16 changes with the rise and fall of the water level in the water box. The float in the float device 16 follows the rise and fall of the water level and triggers the high water level detector when the float is located at the upper part of the inner cavity. Specifically, the arrangement of the float device 16 can be arranged according to the actual layout of the product, for example, Figure 6 In the first embodiment shown, the float device 16 is arranged in the water box 5 to make the internal structure of the body more simple. The float device 16 includes a vertically arranged sleeve with an inner cavity. The sleeve is integrally formed on the inner wall of the water box 5. The side wall of the sleeve is vertically opened with a through groove so that the inner cavity connects to the water box 5. The high water level detector is arranged on the side wall of the inner tank 2. Figure 7 In the second embodiment shown, the float device 16 is arranged on the outside of the inner tank 2 and connected to the joint 6 through a pipe, and then connected to the water box 5 through the joint 6. Compared with the first embodiment, the arrangement of the second embodiment does not occupy the water storage space of the water box 5, the water box 5 can store more water, and the size setting of the float device 16 can be set larger and the measurement is more accurate; the float device 16 includes a vertically arranged sleeve with an inner cavity, the bottom of the sleeve is provided with a lower pipe joint connecting the pipe to the joint 6, the top of the sleeve is provided with an upper pipe joint connecting the pipe to the inner tank 2, and the high water level detector is arranged at the upper pipe joint.

[0029] The float is rectangular in shape. When the float rises, the inner cavity wall prevents the float from undergoing any morphological changes, such as rotation, thereby preventing the conductive portion of the float from changing position. This causes the high water level detector to remain inactive even when the float reaches its highest point, thereby controlling the solenoid valve to close, causing the water box 5 to overflow. Preferably, the high water level detector is a reed switch, and a magnet is provided within the float to trigger the reed switch.

[0030] When the water level in the water box 5 is lower than the lowest end of the low water level electrode, the conductive part of the low water level electrode is disconnected, the solenoid valve opens, and water from the external water source is transported to the water box 5 until the conductive part of the high water level detector is submerged and the solenoid valve closes.

[0031] In this embodiment, the water inlet 7 and the drain outlet 8 are both connected to the cavity 11. In order to avoid affecting the flow of water by replenishing and discharging water at the same time, when the solenoid valve is opened, that is, when replenishing water, the water pump 9 stops working. When making ice, when the water pump 9 delivers water to the ice-making module 3, the solenoid valve remains closed, even if the water level in the water box 5 drops to below the lowermost end of the low water level electrode during this period, that is, when the conductive part of the low water level electrode is disconnected. Therefore, in this product, the lowermost end of the low water level electrode is at a certain distance from the bottom of the water box 5. When the water level in the water box 5 is flush with the lowermost end of the low water level electrode or slightly lower than the lowermost end of the low water level electrode, the amount of water in the water box 5 is sufficient to meet the water demand for a single ice making.

[0032] Furthermore, the connector 6 and the water box 5 are connected by a connecting water channel. When the water level in the water box 5 is lower than the lowermost end of the connecting water channel, the water in the water box 5 and the water in the cavity 11 are separated. That is, when the water level in the water box 5 is lower than the lowermost end of the connecting water channel, the water in the water box 5 will no longer flow into the cavity 11. Therefore, the amount of water contained between the lowermost end of the connecting water channel and the lowermost end of the low water level electrode is sufficient to meet the water demand for a single ice making.

[0033] For example, the water level in the water box 5 just makes the conductive part of the low water level electrode conductive. At this time, insufficient water in the water box 5 will not be detected. When making ice, the water pump 9 delivers water to the ice-making module 3. At this time, the water level in the water box 5 gradually drops, causing the conductive part of the low water level electrode to be disconnected. At this time, since the water pump 9 is working, the solenoid valve remains closed. When the amount of water delivered by the water pump 9 meets the water volume requirement for a single ice making, the water pump 9 stops working. At this time, the water level in the water box 5 is higher than the lower end of the connecting water channel (that is, the water in the water box 5 and the water in the cavity 11 can flow with each other). At the same time, the conductive part of the low water level electrode is disconnected, the solenoid valve is opened, and external water source enters the water box 5 until the high water level detector is turned on, the solenoid valve is closed, and automatic water replenishment is completed.

[0034] A partition 12 is provided in the middle of the inner tank 2, which divides the inner tank 2 into a first installation cavity 13 located above and a second installation cavity 14 located below the first installation cavity 13. The ice box 4 can be slidably installed in the first installation cavity 13, and the water box 5 can be slidably installed in the second installation cavity 14.

[0035] A first drainage hole 15 is provided at the bottom of the ice box 4, and a second drainage hole 17 is provided on the partition 12 to connect the first installation cavity 13 with the second installation cavity 14. The bottom of the ice box 4 is inclined and tilted downward in the direction of the first drainage hole 15. When the ice melts, it flows back into the water box 5 through the first drainage hole 15 and the second drainage hole 17, so that the water temperature in the water box 5 is reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of subsequent ice making. In addition, the ice water in the water box 5 can also be pumped by a water pump or other device, so that the ice water can be directly drunk.

Claims

1. An ice maker water level detection structure, comprising an inner container (2) installed in an ice maker (1), the top surface of the inner container (2) and a surface close to the front side of the ice maker (1) being open, an ice making module (3) being installed above the inner container (2), and characterized in that: An ice box (4) located above and a water box (5) located below the ice box (4) are installed in the inner container (2); a joint (6) communicating with the water box (5) is installed on the outer side of the bottom of the water box (5); a water inlet (7) and a drain (8) are provided on the joint (6); a water pump (9) electrically connected to a control panel is installed on the drain (8); the water pump (9) is connected to the inlet pipe of the ice making module (3); the water inlet (7) is connected to an external water source pipe through a solenoid valve or a pump device; a low water level electrode (10) is installed in the joint (6); the solenoid valve or the pump device and the low water level electrode (10) are electrically connected to the control panel.

2. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The low water level electrode (10) is composed of two conductive rods.

3. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cavity (11) communicating with the water box (5) is provided in the joint (6), and the lower end of the low water level electrode (10) is inserted into the cavity (11).

4. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that: The water box (5) is equipped with a high water level detector.

5. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water box (5) is connected to a float device (16), and the high water level detector is located above the float device (16). The water level in the inner cavity of the float device (16) changes with the rise and fall of the water level in the water box. The float in the float device (16) rises and falls with the water level and triggers the high water level detector after the float is located at the upper part of the inner cavity.

6. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The float device (16) is arranged in the water box (5), and the float device (16) comprises a vertically arranged sleeve having an inner cavity, the sleeve being integrally formed on the inner wall of the water box (5), and a through groove being vertically opened on the side wall of the sleeve so that the inner cavity is connected to the water box (5), and the high water level detector is arranged on the side wall of the inner tank (2).

7. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The float device (16) is arranged outside the inner tank (2) and is connected to the joint (6) through a pipe, and then connected to the water box (5) through the joint (6). The float device (16) includes a sleeve arranged vertically and having an inner cavity. The bottom of the sleeve is provided with a lower pipe joint connected to the pipe connected to the joint (6), and the top of the sleeve is provided with an upper pipe joint connected to the pipe connected to the inner tank (2). The high water level detector is arranged at the upper pipe joint.

8. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A partition (12) is provided in the middle of the inner container (2) to divide the inner container (2) into a first installation cavity (13) located above and a second installation cavity (14) located below the first installation cavity (13); the ice box (4) can be slidably installed in the first installation cavity (13), and the water box (5) can be slidably installed in the second installation cavity (14).

9. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bottom of the ice box (4) is provided with a first drainage hole (15), and the partition (12) is provided with a second drainage hole (17) for connecting the first installation cavity (13) with the second installation cavity (14).

10. The ice maker water level detection structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The bottom of the ice box (4) is inclined and slopes downward toward the first drainage hole (15).

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